Improved water distribution tank

Abstract

This disclosure relates to a decorative water jet device, comprising a water outlet basin having a lower flat wall (4) with a plurality of openings (5), each of which is fitted a nozzle (51) for discharging a water jet out of the outlet basin. One of the nozzles (52), at an opposite end of a water jet outlet, is surmounted by a tube (6) of a length chosen to avoid disparity in the jets exiting the other nozzles (51). (FIGURE 3)

Description

Title of the invention: Improved water distribution tank

[0001] The present description relates to a water dispersion tank, for producing water jets, in particular for an ornamental fountain.

[0002] Such a fountain can find applications in particular in furnishing decorations, for example as a table leg or as a support column or to form a water curtain (for discretion, or as a mosquito net, or for cooling compared to hot outside air).

[0003] Such an embodiment is described in particular in the applicant's document WO-2020 / 212209.

[0004] The attached [Fig. 1] reproduces a presentation of the distribution tank 2 of this document. The tank 2 comprises a lower wall 4 comprising openings 5 ​​housing nozzles for emitting water jets from these nozzles, which are distributed in the lower wall 4 of the tank.

[0005] As illustrated in [Fig.l], one of the openings 8 provided in the lower wall 4 of the tank 2 is a water supply opening from a supply column 3. This opening 8 is in principle much wider than a nozzle opening 5. Indeed, as described in the aforementioned document, a motor pump PO is mounted in a water receiving tank (located under the distribution tank 2). The pump PO then injects water in a controlled manner into the supply tube 3. This water reaches the distribution tank 2, which is closed and sealed. The water flows through nozzles 51.

[0006] As visible in [Fig.2], each nozzle 51 has an internal water conduit 513 to guide it by a uniform jet JET downwards according to a laminar flow (without dispersion of the jet at the outlet 514 of the nozzle). The jets JET at the outlet of the tank 2 are then straight and all vertical, thus giving an aesthetic harmony to this distribution of water.

[0007] Furthermore, as described in the aforementioned document, the PO pump can be configured to emit water at a controlled flow rate in order to generate:

[0008] - continuous jets at the nozzle outlet, at a sufficiently high pump flow rate, greater than a flow rate threshold limit,

[0009] - or alternatively discontinuous jets at the nozzle outlet, in drop mode- drip, at a pump flow rate lower than the flow rate limit threshold.

[0010] The frequency of drop outlets in drip mode therefore depends on the pump flow rate (and decreases with a lower pump flow rate).

[0011] In this drip mode, the problem then arises of ensuring that all the nozzles can emit a drop at the same time, then stop as well. to emit a drop at the same time. The unsynchronized emission and stopping of the drops would be disharmonious for an ornamental fountain.

[0012] Furthermore, depending on the inclination of the tank, if its lower wall is not perfectly horizontal, some of the nozzles at one end of the tank may appear to drip more frequently than others (or even produce a continuous jet while the other nozzles are in drip mode), which is disharmonious. This lack of flatness may in fact cause the holes 511 and 512 of a nozzle to be exposed to the air, which has the effect of causing air to rise into the tank 2 and thus allowing other nozzles to empty.

[0013] The present description improves the situation.

[0014] To this end, it proposes a device for an ornamental water jet, in particular of the fountain type, comprising a water outlet tank comprising a lower flat wall comprising a plurality of openings in each of which is inserted a nozzle for discharging a water jet outside the outlet tank, characterized in that one of the nozzles, at an opposite end of a water jet outlet, is surmounted by a tube of a length chosen to avoid a disparity of the jets at the outlet of the other nozzles, at the start and stop of the jets.

[0015] Thus, covering the head of a nozzle with this tubing makes it possible to control the air pressure in the water outlet tank, thus ensuring a synchronized and harmonious flow for all the nozzles.

[0016] Typically in a drip mode in which the nozzles are configured to emit discontinuous jets, the nozzles other than the one capped with the aforementioned tubing, can emit drops at the same time, and / or stop the emission of a drop at the same time.

[0017] The device within the meaning of the present disclosure is intended to decorate, for example, a piece of furniture such as a table, a screen curtain, a window or even a stair step. Typically, the water outlet tray of such a device may be intended to be arranged under the transparent top of a table, its flat lower wall being oriented facing the ground and the nozzles thus allowing the water to flow vertically by gravity. Advantageously, the visual appearance of drops falling all at the same time from the nozzles provides a decorative effect that is highly appreciated for the aforementioned piece of furniture. Indeed, the flow of water in drops, similar to a flow of rain, has the advantage of not masking objects or landscapes from a spectator, and is intended to improve in a more discreet manner the aesthetics of an object, decoration or piece of furniture.

[0018] In order to obtain a better visual rendering of the drip, the flow of water through the nozzles must be harmonious and controlled. More precisely, the flow of drops must be synchronized for all the nozzles of the device, even in conditions where the water outlet tray is slightly inclined and the lower wall is not perfectly horizontal, as can be the case on floors that are not perfectly flat.

[0019] This simultaneous operation of the nozzles is made possible in particular by the clever design of the nozzle capped with the tubing of the chosen length.

[0020] In one possible embodiment, the flow nozzles may be positioned in the same plane on the bottom wall, and the nozzles may be arranged equidistant from each other, and distributed in rows, over the entire surface of the bottom wall of the outlet tank.

[0021] The openings on the bottom wall of the water outlet tray are configured to be of the same shape and dimensions as the nozzles, thus ensuring a sealed contact between the nozzles inserted into the openings and the bottom wall of the water outlet tray. Seals may also be added in the openings, around each of the nozzles, to reinforce the sealing of the bottom wall.

[0022] Furthermore, in an embodiment described in detail later with reference to [Fig. 2], each nozzle is cylindrical in shape, and comprises a head, extending vertically inside the water outlet tank and through which the water enters, opposite the nozzle outlet through which the water flows out of the outlet tank. It has proven advantageous for the nozzle to comprise two water inlet holes at the head, of smaller diameters than the single outlet hole formed by an internal conduit in the nozzle. The nozzle head is larger than the opening in the wall into which the nozzle is inserted, in order to ensure a seal of the water outlet tank. The nozzle outlet is the same size as the opening in the wall in order to be force-fitted therein.

[0023] The distribution and distance between each nozzle modify the visual rendering of the flow of water. It is thus of course possible to distribute the nozzles with a variable distance between them, or by group, for example to form polygons, to leave a free space for the passage of people, or to follow the particular shape of the objects to be decorated. The nozzles of the same group or of the same row are for example separated by a regular pitch, which is greater than a threshold distance so as to eject individual jets at the outlet of the nozzles, and thus avoid a quasi-continuous veil of water, in this embodiment.

[0024] In such an embodiment where the jets at the outlet of the nozzles are thus individual, it is preferable to ensure that in drip mode, the drops are indeed emitted at the same time, which also makes it possible to apply other decorative aspects such as in particular frequency lighting of the device at a lighting frequency close to the drip mode to provide a stroboscopic effect.

[0025] A possible interpretation of the role of the tubing covering one of the nozzles to achieve this effect of emitting drops at the same time can be explained as follows. The tubing, by cooperating with the nozzle it covers, forms an airtight and watertight barrier around the nozzle, in particular around the nozzle head, as illustrated in [Fig. 3]. In other words, the tube prevents the nozzle head from being exposed to air when a sufficient volume of water is present in the water outlet tank.

[0026] The mechanism for controlling the flow by the capped nozzle is illustrated in [Fig. 5] discussed in detail later. In general terms here, as the water outlet tank (which is closed and airtight) gradually fills with water, the air volume decreases and air escapes from the capped nozzle of the tubing, generating an air pressure drop in the tank. Once the head of the aforementioned nozzle is submerged, the volume of water in the tank is sufficient to increase the air pressure. This excess air pressure allows the water to be ejected from the tank by the nozzles and to emit a drop. But as soon as the water supply stops, the volume of water in the tank decreases, while the volume of water from the capped nozzle remains constant. The air pressure then becomes insufficient for the other nozzles to emit a drop. This phenomenon is repeated for each drop emitted by the drip nozzles.

[0027] For this purpose, the water outlet tank further comprises at least one motor pump supplying the water outlet tank, and configured to inject water in a controlled manner into the device.

[0028] The pump can then supply the water distribution tank at a drop emission frequency from the nozzles, in drip mode. In other words, the frequency of starting and stopping the pump makes it possible to generate a controlled water flow rate to the outlet tank, and thus to control the drop emission frequency. The higher the operating frequency of the pump and the water flow rate, the higher the drop emission frequency.

[0029] Furthermore, when the flow rate sent by the pump becomes greater than a flow rate limit threshold, defined according to the length and shape of the nozzles, the water flows from the nozzles in continuous jets, and no longer in drops.

[0030] The pump can also be set to send a flow of water greater than the flow rate limit threshold and stopping cyclically so as to generate interrupted and successive jets of water (water “strokes”).

[0031] In this embodiment, the pump is mounted for example in a water receiving tank located under the water outlet tank, for recirculation of water from the receiving tank to the water outlet tank.

[0032] Thus, the device can be filled with water before it is actually put into service. The pump therefore uses the water already present to reinject it into the water outlet tank.

[0033] The water receiving tray includes rims for enclosing the water, and is shaped the same or larger dimensions as the water outlet tray, in order to properly collect the water flowing from the nozzles. Thus, the water receiving tray can generally be designed with a shape similar to, or slightly larger than, that of the water outlet tray. A large part of the water used is thus recycled, without the need for regular replenishment of water.

[0034] The water outlet tank further comprises on its lower wall at least one water supply opening of larger dimension than the nozzle openings, the supply opening being connected to a supply tube by which the pump distributes the water in a closed circuit from the receiving tank to the water outlet tank.

[0035] In one embodiment, the water supply tube may be made of a rigid material, capable of supporting the water outlet tray above the receiving tray, and it is preferably transparent or translucent to blend in with the jets (for example made of glass or Plexiglass®). In this embodiment, the supply tube may then be straight and vertical in order to blend in as best as possible with the water jets. Alternatively, it is of course possible to choose a supply tube that may be curved.

[0036] In another embodiment, several supply tubes may be provided, each comprising a motor pump, and each connecting the outlet tank to the receiving tank. In such a configuration, the tubes are preferably positioned regularly between the tanks, as in the example illustrated in [Fig. 6], so that the weight of the water outlet tank is better distributed over the tubes. But it is also possible to arrange the supply tube(s) at the ends of the tanks, or off-center, depending on the chosen visual.

[0037] A design with several water supply tubes then makes it possible to produce larger, heavier devices with several dozen, or even several hundred, jets. In such a configuration, it is then possible to provide several nozzles topped with tubing, in order to ensure the synchronized flow of all the nozzles.

[0038] In one embodiment, the feed opening is arranged as close as possible to the nozzle surmounted by the tubing, than to the other nozzles. An example of this embodiment is notably presented in [Fig.6]. In this configuration, the feed tube is thus placed to advantageously camouflage the flow at the outlet of the nozzle surmounted by the tubing, which does not necessarily drip in a synchronized manner with the other nozzles.

[0039] Furthermore, the nozzles are all of the same length, the length of the nozzles being chosen so that the water flows in laminar flow at the outlet of the nozzles.

[0040] In such an embodiment, there is no dispersion of water at the outlet of the nozzles, the water jets and the drops are very uniform and flow without turbulence to the tank of reception. In this way, it is also possible to limit water splashes.

[0041] It has thus been empirically defined that the length of the nozzles is of the order of ten times their internal diameter.

[0042] In addition, the tubing exceeds said nozzle by a few millimeters.

[0043] More specifically, in one embodiment, the tubing surmounts said nozzle by 2 millimeters while the length of a nozzle is between 20 and 30 millimeters.

[0044] In particular, in the embodiment illustrated in [Fig. 3], the tubing surmounting the nozzle by 2 mm ensures a water level high enough to submerge the holes in the head of the capped nozzle. When the water supply by the pump is stopped, the capped nozzle is then always fully submerged and prevents uncontrolled flow from all the other nozzles.

[0045] In one embodiment, the nozzles have dimensions comprising a length of 25 mm and a diameter of 2.5 mm.

[0046] Other advantages and characteristics of this device will appear on reading the detailed description below of examples of embodiment and on examining the attached drawings in which: - [Fig.l] schematically illustrates an example of the general shape of the water distribution tank 2, - [Fig.2] schematically illustrates an example of the general shape of one of the water distribution nozzles 51, - [Fig.3] illustrates a nozzle of the type shown in [Fig.2] (left) and a nozzle of the same type overhung by tube 6 (right), - [Fig.4] illustrates an example of the embodiment of a water outlet tank 2 (on the left) comprising the tube 6 overhanging one of its openings 5 ​​arranged in its lower wall 4 (water outlet), as well as a transverse profile A-A' of the device (on the right) and an enlarged view of the tube 6 (at the bottom of [Fig.4]), - [Fig.5] illustrates an example of the construction of a tank with several nozzles, one of which is topped by a tube 6, with water being supplied (top left), until the first drops come out of the nozzles (right), then the water supply is stopped (bottom left), - [Fig.6] illustrates an alternative embodiment to that of [Fig.4], with several water conveying columns.

[0047] The present description proposes that the water distribution tank 2 comprises a tube 6 inside the tank and that one of the nozzles 52 is surrounded by this tube 6 overhanging the head of the nozzle 52, as illustrated in [Fig. 3]. Such an embodiment advantageously makes it possible to ensure that all the nozzles (at least the nozzles 51 other than that 52 capped with the tube 6) emit a drop at the same time and stop the emission of a drop at the same time, especially in drip mode.

[0048] Thus, the frequency of the drops emitted by all of these nozzles 51 is the same. As indicated previously, this frequency of drops is adjusted by the flow rate provided by the pump PO (lower than a limit flow rate beyond which the nozzles deliver uniform jets, in continuous mode).

[0049] Thus, in drip mode, all nozzles 51 drip at the same time and at the same frequency.

[0050] Such an effect of producing a regular drip on all the nozzles 51 could also be achieved, without tube 6, but by choosing one of the nozzles 52 longer than the others. Nevertheless, from an aesthetic point of view, it can be understood that this would amount to leaving visible a nozzle length different from the others, which may appear disharmonious.

[0051] In terms of dimensions, with reference to [Fig. 4], in particular on the transverse profile A-A' and on the enlarged view, the tube 6 can overhang the head of the nozzle 52 by only a few millimeters, and measure for example 13 mm in height. In the example illustrated, it is 2 mm higher than the level of the inlet holes 511 and 512 of the nozzles, and in particular of the nozzle 52 which is capped by it, which makes it possible, during filling, to ensure a sufficient water level to submerge the latter. Thus, when the water supply is stopped or with very low flow rates such as in drip mode, a depression is sufficient to prevent the water from flowing uncontrolled from certain nozzles. Among other things, the water level in the tube serves to prevent air from passing through another nozzle and thus maintains a depression necessary for the proper and uniform operation of all the nozzles.

[0052] The tube 6 then forms a watertight barrier for the holes of the nozzle 52, which is open to the air only through its lower opening 514.

[0053] When the tank 2 is first filled (or when it is refilled with water after emptying), the role of the tube 6 can be seen as keeping a single nozzle 52 as a possible air outlet. Thus, with a sufficient flow rate, the tank 2 gradually fills, while producing the beginning of a drop from all the other nozzles 51. When the water level reaches the top of the tube 6, the latter fills, and thus closes the vent holes 511 and 512 of the head of the nozzle 52, making them completely airtight.

[0054] From then on, a pressure regulation marks the operation of the emitting tank 2: in depression, the tank reduces the flow of water through the nozzles, while maintaining a constant volume of air inside the tank. All the nozzles then stop ejecting water at the same time, if the water is no longer injected through the tube 3. On the other hand, when water arrives through the tube 3, the tank fills with water as previously which submerges all the nozzle heads 51 up to the tube 6, so that water is evacuated from all the other nozzles 51 at the same time when the tube 6 becomes submerged. A Slow drip is therefore possible: the droplet outlet flow rate (at nozzle outlet 514) now only depends on the incoming flow rate (through tube 3 and large opening 8), in the absence of any possibility for air to fill the space which would be freed by an outlet flow rate guided solely by gravity. Tank 2 remains in a slight depression.

[0055] To obtain faster drip operation, or even jet operation, it is sufficient to increase the flow rate of water arriving from tube 3.

[0056] Thus, the role of this tube 6 is to close the air vent of the tank 2 with a water level high enough above the nozzles to avoid recreating a connection between the volume of air above the nozzles and the outside air, even in the event of a variation in the water height or a lack of flatness of the ground.

[0057] These different situations are illustrated in [Fig. 5]. At the top left, the tank 2 gradually fills with water during a tank filling phase. The tube 6 is not yet immersed and the nozzle 52 which is capped by it is still in the open air so that air from the tank escapes, which creates a depression in the tank. In particular, the atmospheric pressure (in air) which prevails in the tank 2 is insufficient to make the other nozzles 51 flow, even though their head is covered with water.

[0058] Referring now to the right-hand intermediate figure of [Fig.5], the water arrives in the tank 2 through the opening 8 until it submerges the tube 6. The water in the tube 6 forms an airtight barrier. The volume of water occupied in the tank 2 becomes sufficient to increase the air pressure of the volume of air remaining in the tank 2 (complementary to the volume of water). This excess air pressure, as well as the volume of water present in the tank 2, are sufficient to push the water out of the nozzles downwards. The drip then has a uniform frequency at the outlet of the nozzles 51.

[0059] Referring now to the bottom of [Fig. 5], when the water supply stops, the volume of water decreases but that in the tube remains constant, leaving the tube 6 submerged and airtight. The air pressure is no longer sufficient to cause the other nozzles 51 to drip. Thus, all the nozzles 51 (other than the nozzle 52 capped by the tube 6) stop dripping together.

[0060] As soon as the nozzles start to drip at the same time and stop dripping at the same time, at the same frequency, it is possible to illuminate the fountain with LEDs, with a frequency equal to or close to the frequency of emission of the drops (or one can be a multiple of the other). At the same frequency, the drops appear motionless above a drop reception tray. At a similar frequency (slightly different), the drops appear to fall slowly into the reception tray or rise slowly towards the distribution tray, by stroboscopic effect.

[0061] The nozzle 52 may have an erratic flow (i.e. different from the other nozzles). However, on the one hand, it is only a single, isolated nozzle, and, on the other hand, its arrangement can advantageously be chosen, for example hidden by the jets of other nozzles as illustrated in [Fig.4] where the tube is at a median position in the radius of the tank 2, here of circular shape (for a table leg). It is in fact an isolated nozzle 52, among approximately a hundred nozzles 51 (for a distribution tank of approximately 30 cm in diameter and 3 cm in height).

[0062] In a possible embodiment of the nozzles themselves 51, 52, the latter may comprise two holes 511 and 512, 0.8 mm in diameter. This size has been determined empirically, as representing a good compromise between a significant pressure drop, and a sufficiently low initial filling flow rate.

[0063] It is preferable to place at least two off-axis holes to feed the nozzles. The openings from these holes are sufficiently fine, in the axis of the nozzle, to each produce a fine jet that practically does not touch the internal walls of the conduit 513, and therefore does not produce uncontrolled drops at the nozzle outlet 514, thus allowing a uniform jet at the nozzle outlet 51.

[0064] The angle between the two holes was determined by simulation as being the best for limiting turbulence at the nozzle outlet. It was set at 30° relative to the vertical.

[0065] The length of the nozzles was set at 10 diameters, or 25 mm for a diameter of 2.5 mm, in order to also limit the turbulence at the nozzle outlet, and therefore allow the formation of a laminar jet JET as long as possible.

[0066] Of course, these are examples of possible embodiments and dimensions. The present description is not limited to these embodiments. Other shapes, for example, of the tray 2 (not like a drum for a table leg as illustrated in [Fig.4]), but like a parallelepiped for a privacy curtain for example, are possible.

[0067] Furthermore, the use of a single tube 6 to cover one of the nozzles 52 has been described above. However, it is possible to provide more than one tube 6, in particular in the case of a large tank 2 with more than one hundred nozzles 51 for example.

[0068] Furthermore, in [Fig. 4], an embodiment has been illustrated where a single column 8 conveys the water from the pump to the distribution tank 2. This is of course an exemplary embodiment. As a variant, several columns 81-85 may be provided to convey the water into the distribution tank, which may make it possible to advantageously conceal the nozzle 52 capped with the tube 6 (and which may consequently have an erratic flow relative to the other nozzles 51) against one of these multiple columns, for example the column 82 in the example illustrated in [Fig. 6].

Claims

Claims

1. Device for decorative water jet, comprising a water outlet tank (2) comprising a lower flat wall (4) comprising a plurality of openings (5) in each of which is inserted a nozzle (51) for discharging a water jet outside the outlet tank (2), characterized in that one of the nozzles (52), at an opposite end of a water jet outlet, is surmounted by a tube (6) of length chosen to avoid a disparity of the jets at the outlet of the other nozzles (51), at the start and stop of the jets.

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the nozzles (51) are configured to emit discontinuous jets, in drip mode.

3. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that said other nozzles (51), in drip mode, emit drops at the same time.

4. Device according to one of claims 2 and 3, characterized in that said other nozzles (51), in drip mode, stop the emission of a drop at the same time.

5. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it further comprises at least one motor pump (PO) supplying the water outlet tank (2).

6. Device according to claim 5, characterized in that said pump is mounted in a water receiving tank located under the water outlet tank (2), for recirculation of water from the receiving tank to the water outlet tank (2).

7. Device according to one of claims 5 and 6, taken in combination with one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the pump (PO) supplies the water distribution tank at a frequency of emission of drops by the nozzles (51), in drip mode.

8. Device according to one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that the water outlet tank (2) comprises on its lower wall (4) at least one water supply opening (8; 81-85) of larger dimension than the nozzle openings (5), the supply opening (8) being connected to a supply tube (3) by which the pump (PO) distributes the water in a closed circuit from the receiving tank to the water outlet tank (2).

9. Device for a decorative water jet according to claim 7, characterized in that the feed opening (8) is arranged as close as possible to the nozzle (52) surmounted by the tubing (6), than to the other nozzles (51).

10. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the nozzles (51) are all of the same length, the length of the nozzles being chosen so that the water flows in laminar flow at the outlet of the nozzles.

11. Device according to claim 10, in which the length of the nozzles is of the order of ten times their internal diameter.

12. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tubing surmounts said nozzle (52) by a few millimeters.

13. Device according to claim 12, characterized in that the tubing surmounts said nozzle (52) by 2 millimeters while the length of a nozzle is between 20 and 30 millimeters.

14. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the distribution tank (2) comprises several dozen nozzles (51).

15. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the water outlet tank (2) is closed and sealed.

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